The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-07-20
TEA.
How tho Plant Was Found by IL
Holy Man,

Tho tradition Of tho tea plant is q
pretty little legendary conccit, writes
tho author or "Some Chinese Ghosts. y
a cramana, rs the Buddhist aesthetic
is called, who claims TO llayo subducd
his senses, was passing through 1<asi,
on his way to China, when bayadore
dropped gold piece into his mendi-
caht's bowl. Ilo interposcd his fan be.
tween his eyes and tho beautiful dane
ing girl, but not quickly enough to shut
out view Of her radiant features, her
god-hued breast ami her curved, glossy
and plant waist Tho penalty Of his
mistake had followed him Il thousand
miles. Accused beauty! Wisely had
Bhagavat warned his disciplcs so yc
cramanaS; women are not TO be looked
upon And ir yc chance to meet
women, ye must not suffer yonr eyes
to dwell upon them; but, maintaining
holy reserve, speak not TO them at all.
Then fail not to whisper unto your own
hearts, 'Lo, wc are cramanas, whose
duty it is to remain uncontaminated by
the corruptions Of this world, even as
the lotus, which suffereth no yilencss
to cling unto it's leaves, though it bios
som amid the refuse Of the ways:de
ditch" This cramana had made VOW
that he would pass night and Il day
i'll perfect and unbroken meditation.
But how could no do SO, haunted as he
was by the illusion Of form. The night
was beginning, and he could not drive
tho dancing girl from his eye. o
stroye to pray The ''jowcl in the
lotus" became tho ''jcwel in her ear!''
lie appealed to Omniscicnt Gotama in
vain. lie rccitcd The holy words OF the
"Chapter Of Impermanency,n which
spakc Of the temporary character of
form. beauty, pain and so OH. IIo re-
cited the eternal verses of tho "Chaptcr
of Wakcfulncss," but all TO no purpose.
The memory Of the bayadere clung to
him, and lie fell asleep dreaming Of
her. For u moment illusion triumphcd.
Mara-the evil prevailed. With
shock Of resolve the dreamer awoko
in tho night, under tho stars of the
Gtneso sky. IIumiliatcd, penitcnt,
bit resolved, tho ascctic drow from his
girdle keen knife, and with unfaltcr-
ing hand severed his oyelitls from his
eyes and flung them from him. 90
thou perfectly awakcncdo ho prayed,
"thy disciple hath not been overcome
save through the feebleness Of tho body;
and his VOW hath been renewed. Here
shall he lingcr without food or drink
until tho moment Of it's fulllmcnt.n
And having assumed the hiciratc
posture seated himself with his lower
limbs folded beneath him ana the
palms Of his hands upwards, the right
upon tho left, tho left resting upon the
sole Of his upturncd foot-hc resumed
hic meditation. Dawn blushcd; day
frightened. Night came and glittered
and passed; but Mara tempted in vain.
This time the VOW was fulfilled, the
holy purpose accomplished. Strong in
the holiness Of his accomplished VOW,
tho Indian pilgrim arose in the morning
glow. IIo started for amazement as he
lifted his hands to his eyes.
What marvel had been wrought Not
even n single lash was lacking. Inyain
helooltcd for the several lids that he
had flung upon tho ground they had
mysterlously vanished, but 10! there
Where ho had cast them two wondrous
shrubs were growing, with dainty leaf
lots, eyelid shaped, and snowy buds just
opening to tho east. And ho named
the newly created plant, in the language
OF the nation to whom he brought tho
lotos Of the good law, "Te,"